Board Game Apparatus and Method for Playing

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus and method of playing including a playing surface having an impassible outer barrier and several inner barriers. The game playing surface includes a plurality of sequential first areas and a second area wherein gamers shoot their game pieces in turn through the sequential areas until achieving a killer status whereby they can begin to eliminate the other players. The last killer on the board is declared the winner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/044,989 filed Apr. 15, 2008, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to recreational games.

BACKGROUND

Recreational games come in all shapes, sizes and methods of play. Some games and their accompanying methods of play are not quickly fixed and commercialized, but rather evolve over time through years of play. Some games have their origin or are adapted as street games, for example stick ball, which is similar to baseball adapted to be played in urban streets and local neighborhoods.

One example of a street game which was popular in New York neighborhoods was called “Skully” or “Skelsey.” Markers were located or identified on the street or playgrounds and players used game pieces to navigate around an unbounded and open (uninterrupted) course through sequential moves by successive players. Difficulties in play were experienced due to the unbounded and open course, for example, game pieces could easily exit the course and were subject to the inherent inconsistencies of the cement and asphalt surfaces and outdoor play. Skilled players would have significant advantage as the open course could be easily navigated and opposing players defeated. Attempts at domesticating or creating an indoor version of this game have suffered from disadvantages of having a similar, although smaller, unbounded and open course format and the method of play not having been modified to adequately adapt it to an indoor, table-top game.

The present table game and method of play improves on the disadvantages of prior games, including the Skully or Skelsey street games, through significant changes and improvements to the physical playing area and method of play.

SUMMARY

The inventive game includes a game board which, in one example, is a large table top game board suitable as a stand alone table or as part of a multi-function gaming table with games such as poker, backgammon and other popular games.

In one example of the game board, the board includes a planar playing surface having a raised outer barrier extending upward from the playing surface and around the periphery of the game board to assist in keeping the game pieces from leaving the table. The game board further has several sequentially-identified first areas positioned near the outer barrier and separated from one another. A second area is positioned inside of the several first areas and defines a region of significance in the play of the game.

In another example of the game board, a plurality of raised inner barriers are strategically positioned about the game board surface and serve multi-purposes including making it more difficult to navigate a game piece between the sequential first areas and serving as bumpers for ricochet shots to advance your piece or hit other game pieces.

In another example of the game board, one or more safe areas are included where gamers can enter to temporarily protect or shield their game pieces from other players.

In another example of the game board, a two-sided game piece is used having a second side with indicia signifying that the player has satisfied certain game conditions and has become a “killer” enabling the player to begin eliminating other players from the game.

In one method of use, the game board and method of play begins with at least two game pieces being positioned behind a starting line. In turn, players shoot or flick their game pieces into the sequential first areas positioned around the game board until their game piece has moved into and out of all of the sequential first areas in order. In another example, the game pieces must then move back through the sequential first areas in reverse order. In one example, the players attempt to avoid their game piece from stopping in the second area, known as “Skelsey”, to avoid losing at least one turn.

In one example of game play, on completion of moving the game piece into and out of the first sequential areas and into the second area, the player turns the game piece over revealing indicia signifying that they are now a “killer” and are able to begin eliminating the other players from the game. In one example, a killer eliminates another player by shooting the game piece and striking another player's game piece which is not located in a safe or protected area. The killer that is successful in eliminating all of the other players is declared the winner.

Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a rectangular-shaped game board of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternative example of the game board in FIG. 1 in the shape of a square having an alternative playing surface;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative example of the game board in FIG. 1 in the shape of a circle having an alternative playing surface;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative example of the game board in FIG. 1 in the shape of an octagon having an alternative playing surface; and

FIG. 5 is an example of a game piece showing an example of indicia signifying the game piece as a “killer.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus and method of playing a board game is disclosed and examples are shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a board game 10 having a generally rectangular shape is shown

In one example shown in FIG. 1, game board 10 includes a playing surface 14 having a center portion 18 and a periphery 20. Game board 10 includes opposing ends 24 and sides 30. Playing surface 14 is preferably made from rigid wood coated with a durable finish such as polyurethane, lacquer or varnish. Other rigid materials can be used such as polymers, elastomers, rigid fibrous board and thin, lightweight metals, for example, aluminum. In a preferred example, playing surface 14 is a rigid, fixed single piece of material to eliminate any joints and gaps, is planar, and has a smooth surface. In a preferred example of a rectangular game board 10 shown in FIG. 1, playing surface 14 is approximately 5½ feet long and 3½ feet wide. It is understood that larger and much smaller size playing surfaces 14 and game tables 10 can be used to suit the available space and the rigid playing surface 14 could be foldable or collapsible for play while traveling or for ease of storage. It is further contemplated that a non-planar surface or localized raised or depressed areas (not shown) could be used to change the surface 14 and change the challenge level of play. It is also contemplated the board game can be in the form of a hand-held electronic or video game (not shown).

Game board 10 further preferably includes a raised outer barrier 40 which rises from playing surface 14 by a height 46 and extends about periphery 20 in a continuous manner. In one example, outer barrier 40 is a rigid barrier extending perpendicular from playing surface 14 and is made from the same material as playing surface 14. In alternate examples, outer barrier 40 could extend at an angle to playing surface 14 and be made from alternate resilient or softer material, like elastomers, and serve as bumpers similar to billiard tables. In another example, outer barrier 40 could include gaps or removable portions (not shown) as an increased challenge in the game. In an alternate example, a hand-held electronic or video game, outer barrier 40 serves as barrier which a simulated game piece cannot pass through simulating a raised physical barrier.

As shown in the example in FIG. 1, game board 10 may further include numerous raised inner barriers 50 extending upward from the playing surface 14. Barriers 50 may be strategically positioned to increase the challenge of play through helpful guidance or intentional obstruction of the direct linear paths (shortest distance between sequential areas) of the game pieces between the sequential first areas as more fully described below. Barriers 50 are preferably not as high as outer barrier 40 and can be made from the same materials as the playing surface 14 and outer barrier 40 as previously described. Barriers 50 are generally shown as triangular and diamond-shaped to either further obstruct the progression of game pieces across the board or aid in the advancement of the game pieces to a particular area, for example the safe zones or central Skelsey area as described hereafter. Barriers 50 may take any polygonal or circular form, may be permanently fixed to playing surface 14 or may be removable and selectively positioned to increase or decrease the level of difficulty of play. For example, the inner barriers 50 could include mild adhesive or be magnetic or attractive to the playing surface 14 to readily customize or change the challenge level of play. In an alternate example as an electronic hand-held or video game, the inner barriers 50 would serve as areas which the simulated game pieces could not pass through simulating a raised physical inner barrier.

In one example of game board 10, a limit line 54 may be used. Limit line 54 substantially parallels outer barrier 40 and is positioned a short distance inward toward center 18. Limit line 54 provides a buffer wherein if a game piece comes to rest too close to outer barrier 40 to make an uninterfered clean shot, a player may move the game piece away from the outer barrier the distance the limit line 54 is from the outer barrier 40. The distance of limit line 54 from outer barrier 40 may be the same about playing surface 14 or may differ to increase or decrease the level of difficulty of play.

In one example of board game 10, several sequential first areas 60 are included on playing surface 14. In the example, nine square boxes 64 are separated from one another and are positioned about playing surface 14 as generally shown. Bach square 64 of first areas 60 includes sequential indicia, for example numbers 1-8, as shown. In the example, first area boxes 64 numbered 1-8 are positioned adjacent to outer barrier 40 and are numbered so as to require the game pieces to travel across the board to increase the challenge of play.

In a preferred example, each successive sequential first area is positioned across either or both of a length line 72 and a width line 76 as generally shown in FIG. 1 (in phantom). For example, first area box 64 with indicia number 2 is positioned across both the length line 72 and width line 76 from box 64 with indicia number 1 and across only length line 72 from box 64 marked with number 3. As shown in the example in FIG. 1, the length line 72 and width line 76 cross at the approximate center of the playing surface 14 and equally divide the board into equal width and length portions forming four substantially equal quadrants. Box 64 marked number 9 is preferably positioned toward the center portion 18 of playing surface 14. In a preferred example, first area 60 boxes 64 are permanently painted or striped on playing surface 14 so as to not cause a bump or raised area which could unintentionally divert a game piece from its original trajectory in or out of the box. It is understood that other sequential indicia 68 may be used such as letters, characters or other non-alphanumeric pictures or symbols. It is further understood that the number, size, shape, orientation and position of first areas 60 may be changed without deviating from the invention. It is also contemplated that the indicia 68 may be readily changeable to customize game board 10 or to increase or decrease the level of difficulty or play. For example, in an electronic version, the boxes could have digital numbers or characters that are easily changed through a control panel or other device (not shown) in electronic communication with the first areas 60 or other areas or indicia.

As shown in FIG. 1, game board 10 further includes a second area 80 which generally defines an area called “Skelsey.” Second area 80 is shown as an enlarged, rotated square 86 positioned at the center 18 of playing surface 14. In one example, square 86 includes an inner portion 82 surrounded by an outer or Skelsey portion 90. In the examples, outer portion 90 is divided into four areas which surround the much smaller inner portion 82 including the number 9, which is the last or highest sequential number after those in the first areas 60 on playing surface 14. Each Skelsey portion 90 may include Skelsey indicia 100 shown as a skull and crossbones with the letter “S”. Second area 80 may further include raised barriers 94 extending upward from the playing surface 14 similar to inner barriers 50 previously described. In the example shown in FIG. 1, barriers 94 are shaped and positioned so as to direct game pieces that contact the barriers 94 into the Skelsey square 86 for reasons described later. Similar to first areas 60, second area square 86 and indicia 100 are preferably painted on or are flush decals so as to not impede the trajectory of game pieces traveling into or out of square 86. Although shown as a square 86, it is understood that second area 80 can be a different size, shape and orientation with respect to playing surface 14 and further can be spaced offset from playing surface center 18. As shown in the examples in FIGS. 1-4, the second Skelsey area 80 is sized and positioned to require a game piece to cross this area if a direct linear, shortest distance shot is desired between sequential first areas 60. As with first areas 60, the indicia 100 can take any form and, in an alternate example, may be readily changeable.

As also shown in FIG. 1, board game 10 further includes a start line 110 positioned toward an end 24 of playing surface 14. In a preferred example, start line 110 is positioned on the opposite side of the playing surface 14 from the first area 60 which bears the first sequential indicia, shown in FIG. 1 having the number 1, requiring the game piece to travel the length of the table and having to cross second area 80 or Skelsey. The start line 110 serves as a beginning point of the game where all game pieces are positioned prior to initiation of the game. Start line 110 can take other forms, areas or positions on playing surface 14, for example a polygonal box or other area that the game pieces are positioned inside so that all game pieces start from the substantially the same position on playing surface 14.

In one example, game board 10 further includes a safe area 120 (two shown) including raised barriers 124 and indicia 128 on playing surface 14 including a circle marked “killers lair”. As shown in FIG. 1, two safe areas 120 are used and positioned on opposite ends 24 of playing surface 14. The safe areas 120 generally define an area where game pieces are shielded from attack or elimination in later stages of the game as further described below. Excluding the raised barriers 124, safe areas 120 are preferably flush with the surface as with the first 60 and second areas 80 and may be of different shape, size orientation and position with respect to playing surface 14 and may further be greater or lesser in number or eliminated altogether. In an alternate version, for example in an electronic game board, hand-held or video game version, these areas may be readily changeable in all noted aspects.

Game board 10 and the method of play further include at least two or more game pieces 140 that are moveable about playing surface 14 through manual force by player participants. As best seen in FIG. 5, in one example, game piece 140 is a circular-shaped disc having a first side 144 and an opposing second side 146. In a preferred example, second side 146 includes a depressed or sunken area having indicia 150 signifying the game piece has satisfied game criteria and has achieved “killer” status and, in a preferred example, is capable of eliminating other players from the game. Game piece first side 140 may be plain (no indicia) or may include other indicia (not shown) distinguishing the first side from the killer indicia 150. Game piece 140 is preferably made from wood or molded plastic wherein first 144 and second 146 sides are smooth so as to easily slide on playing surface 14. Game pieces 140 may be of different color or include other markings (not shown) so as to distinguish the game pieces from one another. Game pieces 140 are preferably about the size of a US quarter or standard bottle cap, but may take other sizes and shapes. Other materials known to those skilled in the art may be used. It is also contemplated that game pieces 140 may be weighted differently to suit the particular player preferences or change the challenge of play. It is also contemplated that game pieces 140 may be readily customised by users through other features or indicia (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, other examples of game 10 are shown. It is contemplated that game board 10 can take other shapes, forms and orientations than the rectangular-shaped version shown in FIG. 1 and described above. FIG. 2 illustrates a square game board 10, FIG. 3 a circular-shaped game board, and FIG. 4 an octagonal-shaped game board. Other shaped tables, for example, hexagonal (not shown), as well as other polygonal or elliptical may be used. As illustrated, the features of a raised outer barrier 40, raised inner barriers 50, sequential first areas 60, a second area 80, various indicia 100 and start lines 110 may be included on the alternately shaped playing surfaces 14. Other previously discussed features include safe areas 100 and limit lines 54 (not shown) may further be included in these alternate examples. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the number of first areas 60, Skelsey portions 90 and inner barriers 50 may be changed to accommodate the different peripheral shape of game table 10 to maintain, increase or decrease the level of difficulty of game play.

In operation, or in an example of a method of playing a game on game table 10, at least two game pieces 140 are positioned behind start line 110 with the second 146 and “killer” indicia 150 face down indicating to other players that the game piece is not in a condition or killer status to eliminate other game pieces 140 from the game. In turn, players shoot or flick in a single motion their game piece 140 with the object of landing or having the game piece come to rest in each of the sequential first areas 60, and preferably inside squares 64 (marked in FIG. 1 as numbers 1-8). In moving the game pieces 140 across the board toward the next sequential first area or square 64, in one example, players strive to avoid their game piece from stopping in the second area outer portion 90 or “Skelsey” which results in the loss of at least one turn. If a player is successful in their game piece stopping inside a first area square 64, their turn continues until a shot does not position the game piece in a square 64 or other predetermined game condition.

Players continue in turn until their game piece has moved to the last sequential first area or square 64 (number 8) and the inner portion 82 of second area (marked 9). At this point, in one example to increase the length of the game, the game piece must then be navigated through all of the first sequential areas in reverse order. On completion of this game condition, a player then attempts to have their game piece achieve “killer” status. In one example, a player has to shoot the game piece 140 into each skelsey portion 90 and the first area square at the center of second area (marked with a number 9 in FIGS. 1-4) on consecutive shots. If completed, the player's game piece obtains killer status and is flipped over showing all other players killer indicia 150 and that it is a killer and can begin to eliminate other game pieces. It is understood that other game conditions may be used to achieve killer status other than the game condition of continuous shots identified above.

In one example, once a game piece has achieved killer status, that player can eliminate other game pieces from the game by shooting and contacting other game pieces that are not in a safe area 120 or other protected region or game condition. Similarly, in one example of a method of playing, second area inner portion 82 (square 9) positioned at the center of second area 80, may be used as a killer's lair and serve as a temporary safe area for killers which are being pursued for elimination by other killers. In the example shown in FIG. 1, killers lair areas may also be a smaller area inside safe area 120. In one example, in order for a game piece having killer status to eliminate another killer, the victim has to be hit three times on consecutive shots or satisfy some other heightened requirement over a game piece that has not achieved killer status. The last remaining game piece is declared the winner.

As disclosed above, other features and play of the game include the limit line 54 which, in the example shown, is adjacent the outer barrier 40. If a game piece 140 comes to rest in contact with outer barrier 40, or is too close to make an uninterfered shot, the game piece may be repositioned from the barrier to the limit line 54.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. 

1. A game comprising: a game board playing surface having a periphery; at least two individual game pieces moveable on the playing surface; an impassible outer barrier adjacent to and encircling the periphery preventing the game pieces from moving beyond the periphery; a plurality of sequential first areas positioned about the playing surface in spaced relation to one another; a second area positioned on the playing surface separate from the sequential first areas; wherein players in turn advance their individual game pieces through the sequential first areas while avoiding the second area until all of the sequential first areas are achieved whereafter such a game piece is moved into the second area and becomes a killer game piece which is capable of eliminating other game pieces from the game until the last surviving game piece is declared the winner.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein each sequential first area is positioned across at least one of a board width line and a board length line from a proceeding and a succeeding sequential first area.
 3. The game of claim 2 wherein the first areas are positioned adjacent the periphery.
 4. The game of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of impassible inner barriers positioned about the playing surface.
 5. The game of claim 4 wherein at least one of the plurality of inner barriers is positioned in a direct linear path between at least two of the sequential first areas to obstruct linear movement between the at least two sequential first areas.
 6. The game of claim 4 wherein the inner barriers and the outer barrier are raised and extend above the playing surface.
 7. The game of claim 1 further comprises at least one safe area positioned within the raised outer barrier on the playing surface wherein a game piece is temporarily shielded from attack.
 8. The game of claim 7 wherein the safe area further comprises a killers lair area within the safe area providing a separate safety area for game pieces that have become killer game pieces.
 9. The game of claim 1 wherein the second area further comprises an inner portion including a last sequential area following game piece movement through the sequential first areas, the inner portion surrounded by an outer Skelsey portion.
 10. The game of claim 9 wherein the outer Skelsey portion is positioned along a direct linear path between each sequential first area.
 11. The game of claim 1 further comprising a limit line positioned inside of and substantially parallel to the impassible outer barrier.
 12. A self-contained table-top, board game comprising: a rigid game board playing surface having a periphery; a continuous raised outer barrier extending upward from the playing surface and encircling the periphery; a limit line positioned inside of and substantially parallel to the raised outer barrier; a plurality of sequential first areas positioned about the playing surface in spaced relation to one another, each sequential first area is positioned across at least one of a board width line and a board length line from a proceeding and a succeeding sequential first area; a second area positioned on the playing surface separate from the sequential first areas, the second area having an inner portion and an outer portion, the second area positioned along a direct linear path between each sequential first area; a plurality of raised inner barriers extending upward from the playing surface, at least one inner barrier positioned along a direct linear path between two sequential first areas; at least one safe are positioned on the playing surface inside the outer barrier; and at least two individual game pieces movable on the playing surface, wherein players in turn advance their individual game pieces through the sequential first areas while avoiding the second area until all of the sequential first areas are achieved whereafter such a game piece is moved into the second area and becomes a killer game piece which is capable of eliminating other game pieces from the game until the last surviving game piece is declared the winner.
 13. A method of playing a game having a playing surface and a periphery, an impassible outer barrier encircling the periphery, a plurality of sequential first areas positioned on the playing surface inside the outer barrier, a second area positioned on the playing surface separate from the first areas, and at least two game pieces each piece having a first side and an opposing second side having killer indicia visible thereon, the method of playing the board game comprising the steps of: positioning the game pieces with the first side visible in a start area positioned within the impassible outer barrier; shooting each game piece in turn to come to rest in each of the sequential first areas while avoiding the game piece from coming to rest in the second area; converting the game piece into a killer game piece following satisfaction of movement through the sequential first areas; and eliminating all other game pieces until only one game piece remains resulting in declaration of a winner.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of moving each game piece to each of the sequential first areas further comprising the step of navigating around at least one impassible inner barrier positioned along a direct linear path between successive sequential first areas.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein within the step of converting the game piece into a killer game piece comprises the step of shooting the game piece to come to rest in the second area and turning over the game piece to the second side revealing killer indicia.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second area comprises an inner area and an outer skelsey area, the method of converting the game piece to a killer further comprising first shooting the game piece to come to rest in the outer skelsey portion and on a consecutive shot, the game piece coming to rest in the inner portion of the second area.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of eliminating all other game pieces comprises the step of shooting the killer game piece into contact with another game piece that is not positioned in a safe zone.
 18. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of repositioning a game piece coming to rest in contact with the outer barrier to a limit line positioned inside the raised outer barrier to provide a shot without initial interference by the outer barrier.
 19. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of selectively shooting the game piece into a safety zone positioned within the outer barrier to avoid elimination by a killer game piece.
 20. A game comprising: means for providing a game board having a playing surface; means for positioning at least two game pieces with a first side visible in a start area positioned within a raised outer barrier around a periphery of the playing surface; means for shooting each game piece in turn to come to rest in each of a plurality of sequential first areas separated from one another while avoiding the game piece from coming to rest in a second area; means for converting the game piece into a killer game piece following satisfaction of movement through the sequential first areas; and means for eliminating ah other game pieces until only one game piece remains resulting in declaration of a winner. 